A first step towards rigorous evaluation of wind energy

The production of electricity by wind turbines is intermittent by its very nature, and must therefore be linked to a back-up energy source. Evaluations of the economic feasibility and environmental impact of wind turbine farms often omit consideration of this important fact. The feasibility of linking wind energy to hydroelectric generation was critically evaluated for Quebec. For the purpose of this evaluation, the production of seven wind generating sites was simulated and linked to the Sainte-Marguerite hydroelectric site near Sept-Iles. In the simulation, the intermittency of the wind power made it necessary for the hydroelectric site to be capable of changing its output very rapidly. Results of this study indicate that the environmental consequences of these rapid changes in hydroelectric production are too severe and outweigh the benefits of wind power. 3 refs., 5 tabs., 2 figs